FILE – In this March 4, 2013, file photo, Cuba’s Jose Abreu hits a grand slam off China’s Liu Yu in the fifth inning of their World Baseball Classic first-round game in Fukuoka, Japan. Abreu has agreed to a six-year, $68 million contract with the Chicago White Sox, a person familiar with the situation said Friday, Oct. 18, 2013. The person spoke Friday on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced and was pending a physical.

The Rockies placed multiple bids on free-agent slugger Jose Abreu, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound first baseman who agreed to contract terms with the White Sox on a six-year, $68 million deal pending a physical. While the Rockies showed a lot of interest, they weren’t among the finalists for the Cuban star.

According to reports, the Astros offered $50 million and the Rangers and Red Sox both checked in at $40 million.

Does that mean the Rockies reached $30 million? Was it a token offer? Their final bid isn’t clear, but the fact they were even in on the bidding is an interesting window into their offseason intentions.

It appears the Rockies are taking seriously the glaring need to add a slugger to their lineup. Abreu would have made sense here on many levels. Called the “Cuban Barry Bonds,” Abreu profiled as Todd Helton’s long-term replacement at first base, a player capable of hitting 40 home runs in a season. His defense is spotty, however, and some baseball executives are questioning the White Sox for their gamble on a player who could wind up as an overpaid designated hitter.

Chicago’s likely response? Have you seen Yasiel Puig and Yeonis Cespedes hit?

Abreu won’t be a Rockie. I suggested two weeks ago the team pursue Cespedes in a trade. Maybe the Rockies will. But they were in on Abreu, meaning they seem ready to spend money. Rockies owner Dick Monfort said the club has $5 million to $9 million for roster additions, after computing existing player raises and paying back the MLB credit line for loans.

The fact that Abreu signed for $68 million means the Rockies were longshots to get him. But acquiring Justin Morneau isn’t a longshot. He is on the Rockies’ radar. They need some thunder, whether it’s right- or left-handed. Morneau, a free agent, will give the Pirates an opportunity to keep him after having a good experience there during the final month of the season. But he’s open to signing with the Rockies, and will consider them.

Morneau is 32 and healthy. He hit 17 home runs and had 53 extra-base hits in 152 games this year. Could that become 24 home runs and 60 extra-base hits in Denver? The Rockies must make a strong play for him if he’s available.

Michael Cuddyer, manager Walt Weiss said, will play first base or right field in 2014, depending how the Rockies’ offseason unfolds. Colorado has talked to all-star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez about playing center, a subtle indication that the Rockies will listen to offers for Dexter Fowler. Gonzalez said he’s OK with playing center field as long as it’s his primary position. He has injured himself when rotating from spot to spot in the outfield.

The Rockies missed on Abreu. That should motivate them to push harder to acquire an impact bat, to provide hope for significant improvement.

Power of the ‘pen. Upgrading the bullpen is a priority for the Rockies. Monfort indicated Matt Belisle probably will be back. The right-hander has a $4.25 million mutual option on his contract, a pricey figure if he’s not a setup man. The Rockies want his leadership, especially with Rafael Betancourt gone. Can the sides agree on a two-year contract that brings down his 2014 salary and provides Belisle more security? That’s the key, for me, to keeping him.

Troy joined The Denver Post in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role before the 2015 season. He is a past president of the local chapter of Baseball Writers Association of America and has won more than 20 local and national writing awards since graduating from the University of Colorado journalism school with honors in 1993.